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Laughter is the Key to Love This Valentine’s Day

Forget romance, laughter could be the secret to a happy relationship as couples that celebrate humour are the nation's most content.

Although laughter has long been proven to have positive effects on both the mind and body, new research supports the theory that partners who laugh together are also likely to be happier.

According to a survey by Purple Ronnie*, couples aged 18-24 and those over 45 will be hoping to get a funny card rather than a sentimental card from their loved ones this Valentine's Day.

Although the younger and older couples of our society will celebrate this Valentine's Day with a smile, the majority of people aged 25-44 say that they would prefer a more sentimental message.

However, this more serious approach to love amongst those in the "settling down" age bracket may not only be taking laughter, but also happiness, out of a relationship.

According to the Office for National Statistics, divorce rates are highest amongst 35-44 year olds year olds with "midlife" also being reported to be the unhappiest time of the average British person's life**.

Between the ages of 25 and 44 many Britons are striving for a promotion in the workplace whilst also looking after a family and paying for a mortgage so it is easy for couples to forget the importance of making each other laugh.

Cultural anthropologist and flirting expert Jean Smith said: "Humour seems to be a universally attractive trait in the flirting game. This can definitely help when trying to click with someone, assuming, however, the sense of humour is similar."

Laughing together may also be the key in dealing with the stresses of modern life as 88 per cent of people agreed that laughter helps you deal with all the seriousness of life.***

It is comforting then that in later years, lovers recapture the attitude, and humour, of their youth. In the over-45s, a message that makes them laugh again becomes the thing people most look for in a Valentine's card.

*The survey was carried out by leading European research agency, OpinionMatters. 1,000 UK adults were questioned, equally weighted across all areas of the UK. The survey was commissioned by Purple Ronnie, owned by Coolabi PLC.

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